By James Atkinson
The Royal Mail Hotel from Dunkeld, Western Victoria has won Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards 2012.
The hotel located in the middle of the bush triumphed over Australia's big city restaurants with the quality and depth of its wine list.
The list presented by sommelier Sebastian Crowther was described as exemplary by award Chairman of Judges, Peter Forrestal, who is supported by a panel of 28 wine commentators, Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine from across Australasia, the UK, Europe, the USA, and Asia.
"Everyone was thoroughly impressed by the Royal Mail's extensive choice of wines across different price points, wines by the glass, collections of museum verticals and, of special note, an extraordinary selection of local and international rieslings," said Rob Hirst, chairman of Fine Wine Partners and Judy Sarris, editor, Gourmet Traveller WINE. [continues below]
The Royal Mail Hotel's John Myers, Simon Freeman and Sebastian Crowther
The Royal Mail also won best Country Restaurant Wine List, Best List in Victoria and sommelier Sebastian Crowther was awarded the Judy Hirst Award for his role managing the winning list.
A record 425 wine lists were submitted this year by restaurants, wine bars, international hotels, clubs, pubs, cafes and brasseries across the country.
A new accolade, Best Listing of Australian Wine (won by Sydney's Aria) was created this year to reflect a call from consumers and the local wine community to see more Australian wines on wine lists.
A full list of award winners is available here.